Lingual tumors in infants: a case report and review of the literature

[Isolated neurofibroma of the tongue]

A clinical case of successful treatment of isolated tongue neurofibroma presented patient K., 64 years old, referred to the clinic complaining of a feeling of «discomfort» on swallowing. With a comprehensive examination, a diagnosis of an isolated tongue neurofibroma was established. Surgical treatment was performed. The diagnosis was confirmed morphologically. The presented clinical case of isolated tongue neurofibroma in an elderly patient is casuistic in nature, of scientific and practical interest due to the rarity and unusualness of the disease.

Carbon Dioxide Laser Microsurgical Median Glossotomy for Resection of Lingual Dermoid Cysts

Dermoid cysts are epithelial-lined cavities with skin adnexae in the capsule. Only 7% is present in the head and neck. Between 2004 and 2013, four patients with a lingual dermoid cyst underwent a microsurgical carbon dioxide laser resection via a median sagittal glossotomy approach. This approach is an elegant technique combining superior visualization, hemostasis, and little postoperative edema with good wound healing, allowing for perfect function preservation of the tongue.

Bronchogenic cyst of the tip of the tongue: report of two cases

INTRODUCTION

Lingual bronchogenic cyst is a rare congenital malformation, classified as a choristoma. It is lined by respiratory epithelium. Extrathoracic sites are rare and the tongue is an exceptional site.

CASE REPORT

The authors report two cases of bronchogenic cyst of the tip of the tongue in newborn infants. These two initially asymptomatic lesions gradually increased in size, leading to feeding difficulties in one case. MRI demonstrated well-demarcated, solitary, unilocular cystic images. Surgical resection was easily performed and histological examination concluded on bronchogenic cyst. An aberrant right upper lobe tracheal bronchus was also present in one case.

DISCUSSION

Lingual choristomas are rare and defined histologically according to the type of epithelium. The embryological origin of lingual bronchogenic cysts remains controversial. MRI is the imaging examination of choice to characterize these lesions, but the definitive diagnosis is based on histological examination. Early, systematic surgical enucleation of all congenital lingual cysts must be performed to prevent obstructive and infectious complications.

[Bronchogenic cyst of the tongue in an adult]

INTRODUCTION

Choristoma are non-malignant embryonic tumors, defined by ectopic tissues different from the organ on which they develop. The bronchogenic cyst is a choristoma affecting the upper aero digestive tract. It is lined with respiratory epithelium. The tongue is a rare localization for choristoma.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a 22-year old male patient who consulted in maxillofacial surgery for painful macroglossia. Imaging revealed a median lesion, suggesting an abscessed embryonic tumor. Pathologic examination after surgical exeresis confirmed the diagnosis of lingual choristoma of the bronchogenic cyst type.

DISCUSSION

Embryonic tumors of the tongue are generally diagnosed during childhood. Adult cases are rare. Surgical removal is the only treatment. Post-operative complications and relapse are rare. Only one case of malignant transformation has been reported; systematic radical exeresis is thus always recommended.

Diagnosis and treatment of lingual thyroglossal duct cyst in newborns

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to explore the diagnosis and treatment method of lingual thyroglossal duct cyst in newborns.

METHOD

The clinical data of nine newborns who were diagnosed as lingual thyroglossal duct cyst were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

One lingual thyroglossal duct cyst was found when the tongue was pressed with a spatula. The other eight lingual thyroglossal duct cysts were found with a laryngoscope. Three-dimensional computed tomography showed that the cysts were located at the base of tongue, which was round and smooth. Six of nine patients were treated with the puncture method. The fluid was drawn out, and the average volume was 1.4 mL. Follow-up survey lasted for 1 year or more and 33.3% (2/6) of the cases recurred. For the recurrence, the two patients underwent another operation in which most of the cyst walls were removed and they had no recurrence after another year of follow-up survey. Three of the nine patients were treated with the excision method, and they had no recurrence after 1 year of follow-up survey.

CONCLUSIONS

The laryngoscope and three-dimensional computed tomography examinations are important for the diagnosis of lingual thyroglossal duct cyst. Surgical removal serves as a radical cure for lingual thyroglossal duct cyst.

Lingual harmatoma in an infant

Lingual tumours are uncommon in infants and harmatomas are rarely reported. A 5-month-old boy presented with a growth on the dorsum of the tongue which had been present from birth. The growth produced no respiratory or feeding difficulties. It was confirmed to be a harmatoma after complete excision. There has been no recurrence.

A case report of glial choristoma of the tongue

Glial choristoma of the tongue is extremely rare. The authors report the case of a 9-day-old infant with a congenital lingual glial choristoma. Complete surgical excision was performed without postoperative complications or recurrence. The authors also present a review of the literature and outcome of this benign tumor.